Consumer sentiment declined in September to the lowest level in a year as Americans anticipated a weaker economy in the face of a global slowdown and turbulent financial markets.

Consumer confidence climbed more than forecast in August, reaching the second-highest level in eight years on more favorable views of the labor market.

Job openings waiting to be filled declined, a Labor Department report showed today.

Full-time employment figures rose to their highest level since November 2008.

Payrolls rose in 40 states in April and the unemployment rate fell in 23 as the U.S. labor market picked up following a soft patch a month earlier.

Job openings fell in March from a 14-year high, a sign companies may have held off on posting vacancies amid slowing growth in the first quarter.

Payrolls rebounded in April following an even bigger setback a month earlier than previously estimated, a sign companies are confident the economy will reboot after stagnating early this year. The unemployment rate dropped to 5.4 percent.

Fewer Americans than forecast filed applications for unemployment benefits last week, dropping the average over the past month to the lowest in 15 years, indicating companies are holding on to workers.